6c.11

[Jenna 1G]

6C.11 The values of Ka for phenol and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol are 1.3 × 10−10 and 1.0 × 10−6, respectively. Which is the stronger acid? Account for the difference in strength.Structures of phenol and 2, 4, 6-Trichlorophenol are shown.
can someone explain the structure of these acids and why the structure is involved ?

[Harsimer Bal 3K]

I honestly just looked at which acid had the larger Ka value to tell which one was the stronger acid but I believe they included the structure of each acid to show that you can also determine that 2,4,6-trichlorophenol is the stronger acid by noticing that the Cl atoms on 2,4,6-trichlorophenol have more electron pulling power than the hydrogen atoms on phenol. The conjugate base of the trichlorophenol is more stable than phenol due to the attached Cl atoms' electronegativity which also makes it a stronger acid.